By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
PUBLIC SCRUTINY has intensified following a report shared by the United States Embassy in Nigeria, revealing how state governors continue to commit billions of naira to luxury construction projects while citizens grapple with rising economic pressures.
The report, published by The Africa Report under the title Nigeria’s Ruling Class Splashes Billions On Government Houses, exposes high-profile approvals for government house renovations and new residences in states facing acute poverty.
According to the report, in Oyo State, the administration approved ₦63.4 billion for the renovation of the Government House, describing the existing structure as embarrassing and unbefitting.
Gombe State, consistently ranked among the poorest in Nigeria, is funding a new ultra-modern governor’s residence for ₦14.9 billion and allocating an additional ₦14.23 billion to a new House of Assembly complex.
While President Bola Tinubu continues to defend economic reforms that have triggered inflation and hardship, the report suggests the ruling elite has not mirrored that sacrifice.
“While Nigerians are tightening their belts, the same cannot be said of the ruling class,” the report stated.
The U.S. embassy, reacting on its official X platform, posted the report alongside statements from transparency groups, noting,
“Such alleged lack of fiscal responsibility fuels inequality and erodes public trust.”
The embassy’s post also included a direct link to the article and selected quotes from transparency and accountability organisations.
However, no additional statement was issued by the embassy at the time of publication.
